Systems and Methods for Dynamic Management of Geo-Fenced and Geo-Targeted Media Content and Content Alternatives in Content Management Systems

ABSTRACT

Computer-implemented systems and methods are described for providing user access to content via customized options for a plurality of regions, a customized option being provided to a user based on a region associated with the user. An upload of content for distribution and metadata describing the content are received. A first option definition is received that defines first criteria for accessing the content in a first region. A second option definition defining second criteria for accessing the content in a second region is received. One or more options for the content are provided to the user based on the region associated with the user. An identification of an option is received from the user, and access to the content is provided according to the criteria of the option that the user has identified.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to computer-implemented systemsand methods for dynamic management of content and content-related dataand metadata.

BACKGROUND

Content creators (e.g., filmmakers, television producers, recordingartists, online game developers, etc.) are significantly limited intheir ability to develop and execute content-related strategies such asprocessing, marketing, promotion, management, packaging, merchandising,fulfillment, delivery, distribution, licensing, and enforcement of theirown content and content-related data. Effective mastering andimplementation of such efforts is typically beyond the capabilities ofcontent creators because such efforts typically require marketing and/ordistribution resources that are unavailable to the content creators.Because of this limitation, content creators often seek to enter intocontent-related agreements in which the content creators relinquishcontrol with respect to some or all rights in the content (e.g., alicensing agreement with a film distributor granting various territoryand/or media rights).

One drawback with traditional content-related agreements (e.g., in theentertainment industry) is that they are rarely available to a contentcreator (e.g., an independent filmmaker, television producer, or gamedeveloper). In other words, often only the most well-known contentcreators are able to secure a content-related agreement (e.g., adistribution agreement, assignment, or license) with a third partycontent provider (e.g., a distributor, subdistributor, network,broadcaster, syndicator, publisher, assignee, or licensee). Moreover,even when a content creator is able to secure a content-relatedagreement, the terms are often very one-sided favoring the contentprovider. Thus, these content-related agreements are often unfairlyrestrictive to the content creator, limiting additional marketing ordistribution of content for a set amount of time (e.g., until costsadvanced or expended pursuant to the agreement are recouped).

Additionally, often such agreements (i) do not contain any provisionsthat impose a duty on the content provider to actively market or promotethe content creator's content, and/or (ii) the content creator does nothave sufficient leverage over the content provider to enforce aprovision requiring active marketing or promotion of the content. As aresult, these agreements can be highly disadvantageous to a contentcreator for many reasons. For example, over the term of such anagreement, the value of the content is often diminished while thecontent creator awaits the expiration of the agreement. Moreover, anyfailure of the content provider to actively market or promote thecontent can postpone or preclude any potential revenue that may bederived from the content. This can prolong the time it takes for thecontent creator to recoup the costs associated with creating thecontent, and in some instances, preclude such recoupment altogether.This can create a cash flow burden on the content creator. Additionally,the terms of such agreements rarely require the content distributor,subdistributor, assignee, or licensee to keep the content creatorinformed of the success or progress of any content-related strategies.

Thus, what is needed in the art are systems and methods for empoweringcontent creators to market and distribute their own content withoutentering into onerous one-sided agreements with content providers, suchas distributors, subdistributors, assignees, or licensees.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure addresses the need in the art. Systems andmethods are provided for empowering content creators (e.g., initialcopyright owners; “authors,” as defined under U.S. copyright law; andthose acquiring ownership of media content, such as assignees) to marketand distribute their own content without entering into onerous one-sidedagreements with content distributors. Additionally, systems and methodsare provided for empowering content providers (e.g., third partydistributors, subdistributors, broadcasters, networks, syndicators,assignees, and licensees) to market and distribute (including, withoutlimitation, subdistribution, broadcasting, syndication, assignment, andlicensing of) content when the content provider is unable to exploit thecontent through other distribution channels.

In accordance with the teachings provided herein, systems and methodsfor content and content-related data and metadata processing, marketing,promotion, management, packaging, merchandising, fulfillment, delivery,distribution, licensing, and enforcement are provided. For example, asystem and method can be configured to provide user access to contentvia customized options for a plurality of regions, where a customizedoption is provided to a user based on a region associated with the user.An upload of content for distribution and metadata describing thecontent may be received. A first option definition defining firstcriteria for accessing the content in a first region may be received,where the criteria include an option type, a value, and a first regionwhere the first option is valid. A second option definition definingsecond criteria for accessing the content in a second region may also bereceived, where the second criteria include an option type, a value, anda second region where the second option definition is valid. One or moreoptions for the content are provided to a user based on the regionassociated with the user. An identification of an option is receivedfrom the user, and access to the content is provided according tocriteria of the option that the user has identified.

A system and method may further be characterized by the content and themetadata associated with the content being identical across a pluralityof options associated with the content. The user may be provided thefirst option but not the second option based on the region associatedwith the user. The region associated with the user may be associatedwith the user based on: a user input, an address, or a detected Internetaccess provider. A second user associated with a third region may not beprovided with any options for the content based on the second user beingassociated with the third region. A second user associated with a thirdregion may not be provided with any options for the content based on alack of any options being associated with the third region.

The first option may include a time period of validity, where the timeperiod of validity is preceded by a period where materials for thecontent are available in the first region. A user associated with thesecond region may not be able to access the materials prior to abeginning of the time period of validity of the first option. The firstoption may include one of a higher value than the second option, ahigher video resolution than a video resolution included in the secondoption, a different option type than is included in the second option,and additional content not included in the second option. The optiontypes may include a time-period limited option, a downloadable for afixed time period option, and a permanent option. The time-periodlimited option may enable access to the content via streaming of thecontent, where the downloadable for a fixed time period option and thepermanent option may enable access to the content via downloading of thecontent such that the content can be accessed offline.

A plurality of options may be defined for the content for the firstregion. A user may not be able to locate content if no options ormaterials are available for the region associated with the user. Thesecond option may further include an upgrade of a previously agreed uponoption or a link option to second content in addition to the content.

Particular embodiments of the subject matter described in thisspecification can be implemented to realize one or more of the followingadvantages. A content management system may enforce existing geographybased contract terms in order to remain in compliance with existingagreements insofar as restrictions on sale and promotion in particularterritories are concerned. A content management system may furtherdynamically modify geographic restrictions in order to allow the contentprovider to either enter in to or exit from specific geography basedrestrictions while allowing the terms of those agreements to be enforcedinsofar as restrictions on sale and promotion in particular territoriesare concerned. In addition, a content management system may createlicense offerings that allow the content provider to optimize revenuesin individual regions by taking advantage of the willingness ofconsumers in these regions to purchase at a price within their ownregional price tolerances. Further, a content management system maycreate license offerings that address the particular packagingsensitivities of individual geographic territories in order to providevalue-added license options that justify maximum revenues within theprice tolerances of individual regions.

A content management system may dynamically modify the terms of licenseofferings on a territory by territory basis in order to account forvariations in the market demand in a particular geographic region inorder to maximize the amount of time that the content can remainrelevant to consumers and may further create a segmented pricingstructure that allows users from disparate territories to coexist on thesame platform where pricing for groups of users may be structureddifferently. Additionally, a content management system may createspecial promotional license offers, upgrades, cross-sells and bundlesthat allow the content creator to take advantage of the relationshipthat some consumers in a specific geographic region will have with theparticular content or a subgroup of the content available to the contentprovider or a third party promoter or participant.

The details of one or more embodiments of the invention are set forth inthe accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features,aspects, and advantages of the invention will become apparent from thedescription, the drawings, and the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary computer-implemented environment where userscan interact with a system for content processing, marketing, promotion,management, packaging, fulfillment, delivery, and enforcement via acontent management system.

FIG. 2 shows an exemplary display of certain components within a contentmanagement system.

FIG. 3 shows an exemplary display of additional components within acontent management system.

FIG. 4 is an exemplary block diagram depicting a content managementsystem for providing user access to content via customized contentaccess license offers for a plurality of geographic regions.

FIG. 5 is an exemplary block diagram identifying example geography basedlicense offer constructs provided by a content provider to a contentmanagement system.

FIG. 6 is an exemplary block diagram depicting the access of content bya user associated with a geographical region from a content managementsystem.

FIG. 7 is an exemplary block diagram identifying example geography basedlicense offer contents provided by a content provider to a contentmanagement system.

FIG. 8 is an exemplary block diagram depicting a user accessing contentvia content access license offers valid in the geographical regionassociated with the user.

FIG. 9 is an exemplary block diagram depicting a content provideridentifying the content, scheduled and unscheduled (perpetual),geographic based promotions, and geographic based content access licenseoffers.

FIGS. 10A and 10B depict exemplary geographic based content accesslicense offers for a content item.

FIGS. 11-17 detail exemplary interfaces for enabling a content providerto supply content and geography based content access license offers to acontent management system.

FIGS. 18 and 19 depict exemplary interfaces for providing geographybased content access license offers to users to facilitate the acquiringof content by a user.

FIG. 20 is an exemplary flow diagram depicting a method of providinguser access to content via a customized content access license offersfor a plurality of a plurality of geographical regions where acustomized content access license offer is provided to a user based on ageographical region associated with the user.

FIG. 21 is an exemplary flow diagram depicting a processor-implementedmethod of providing user access to content via customized options for aplurality of regions, a customized option being provided to a user basedon a region associated with the user.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 depicts a computer-implemented environment where users 102 caninteract with a system for content and content-related data and metadataprocessing, marketing, promotion, management, packaging, merchandising,fulfillment, delivery, distribution, licensing, and enforcement using acontent management system 104.

The content management system 104 provides a framework for a contentprovider or creator to supply and manage the online and offlinedistribution of content and for users to locate and access that content.The content management system may be utilized in a variety of scenarios.For example, a content provider may upload his content to the contentmanagement system 104 and desire to make different content offeringsavailable to different geographical regions. For example, the contentprovider may wish to offer a first offer package in the United Statesthat includes a high-definition video version of the content along withbonus content in the form of actor interviews and behind the scenesfootage for $30.00. Additionally, the content provider may wish to offera second offer package in East Timor that includes a regular-definitionvideo version of the content with no bonus content for $10.00.

The content provider may wish to provide these differing offers todifferent geographic reasons for a variety of reasons. For example, thecontent provider may have access to marketing data that suggests thatdemand for the content being offered is inelastic, such that users arevery sensitive to price in deciding whether or not to purchase content.In this example, East Timorese users may be so concerned with price,that they may be willing to forego higher-definition viewing and bonusfeatures in exchange for a lower price offering. In the United States,it may be determined that users will choose a lower priced content offerif available, but will usually purchase a higher priced offer, if thehigher priced offer is the only offer available. Thus, higher revenuesmay be realized in the United States by providing only the higher pricedoffer, while revenues may be strong in East Timor based on the lowerpriced offer being provided to East Timorese users.

A content provider may wish to provide different offerings to differentgeographical regions for other reasons as well. For example, a contentprovider may be concerned about content piracy in certain geographicalregions. For instance, a content provider may wish to provide an offerto download full high-definition video content in the United States andCanada, while only a low resolution offer or no download offers at allare provided to countries where content piracy is rampant. As anotherexample, a content provider may agree to a distribution license in whichthe distributor agrees to buy the exclusive rights to market and sellthe content in a specific geographic region. The content provider maythen desire to structure additional content offers and promotions forother geographic areas over which the distribution agreement does notcover in order to maximize revenues while operating within the terms ofthe distribution agreement.

A content management system 104 may increase capability and flexibilityof content providers to make their content available for favorable termswhile offering users interested in that content an easy mechanism foraccessing, purchasing, and viewing desired content. The contentmanagement system 104 contains software operations or routines forproviding user access to content via customized content access licenseoffers for a plurality of geographical regions where a customizedcontent access license offer is provided to a user based on ageographical region (e.g., cities, states, towns, regions, countries,sets of countries, etc.) and/or Internet domains (e.g., predeterminedsets of IP addresses, top level domains, country code top level domains,web sites, ISPs, etc.) associated with the user. The content providersand users 102 can interact with the content management system 104through a number of ways, such as over one or more networks 108. One ormore servers 106 accessible through the network(s) 108 can host thecontent management system 104. The content management system 104provides user access to content via customized content access licenseoffers for a plurality of geographical regions. The one or more servers106 are responsive to one or more data stores 110 for providing data tothe content management system 104. Among the data contained in the oneor more data stores 110 may be content data 112 supplied by a contentprovider for user access as well as content access license offers 114that facilitate the provisioning of content to the users 102.

FIG. 2 shows an exemplary display 200 of certain components within acontent management system. In some implementations, the system caninclude a catalog 201. The catalog can include static elementscorresponding to aspects of the content that tend to remain constant inthe system. For example, a catalog can include static elementscorresponding to aspects of multimedia content, such as video or filmcontent 202. In this example, video content 202 can include certainvideo attributes, such as title, plot, genre, ratings, credits, artwork,as well as other types of media. In other examples, a catalog caninclude static elements corresponding to other types of multimediacontent such as game content, audio content, e-books, software,electronic photos, and electronic artwork. Content can be added ordeleted from the catalog; thus, the catalog can be dynamic.

In some implementations, the system can include one or more promotionalfunctionalities 203. For example, a promotional functionality 203 caninclude a limited ability to promote content without the ability to sellthe content. In this example, a content creator can promote contentprior to the content being available to a user for purchase. In anotherexample, a third party (meaning someone other than a content provider orrecipients of content from the content provider) can create promotionsas an influencer for a larger audience. Additionally, a third party canreceive a commission for promoting content without having a license tosell the content.

In some implementations, a promotional functionality 203 can include anability to up-sell content or properties of such content (e.g., thegrant of a license to the content, the expansion of the terms of thelicense to the content, an expansion of the quality, resolution, orother property of the content, etc.). In an example of suchimplementations, when a user exhibits an interest in paying a firstamount for a limited use license to use content for a predefined timeperiod, the content creator can dynamically create and offer the useranother license option to use the same content at a second price for agreater period of time. For example, when a user rents content, such asa video, for $5.00, the content creator is notified or otherwise madeaware via a report. Once aware, the content creator can dynamicallycreate and offer a content purchase option, such as a reduced purchaseprice from $15.00 to $11.00 for the user who has rented the content for$5.00, to that user. Such an up-sell offer may also be generatedautomatically without content provider notice of the original rental.

In some implementations, the promotional functionality 203 can includean ability to cross-sell content. The cross-sell option can allow thecontent creator the ability to familiarize the user with more contentthat the user may not otherwise be aware. For example, when a userexhibits an interest in learning about content, the content creator candynamically create a reference to related content. In this example, whena user selects a page on which content is hosted, the content creator isnotified or otherwise made aware via a report. Once aware, the contentcreator can create a reference to related content (e.g., if you like A,you may be interested in B). In another example, when a user exhibits aninterest in licensing content, the user may be presented with anadditional license option for similar content. In this example, when auser selects a content rental or purchase option corresponding to firstcontent, the user may be offered a content purchase option for similarsecond content (e.g., if you like A, you can buy B for $3.00).

In yet another example, when a user exhibits an interest in licensingcontent, the content creator can dynamically create and offer the useran additional license for similar content. In this example, when a userselects a web page or panel on which content is hosted, the contentcreator is notified or otherwise made aware. Once aware, the contentcreator can dynamically create and offer a content purchase option forthe content on the current web page or panel as well as one or moreadditional purchase options for the similar content (e.g., if you likeA, you can buy A and B together for $10.00).

In some implementations, using the catalog 201, one or more licensingoptions (licensing packages 204), can be dynamically generated by acontent creator using the system. In other implementations, using thecatalog 201 and the promotional functionality 203, one or more licensingpackages 204, can be dynamically generated by a content creator usingthe system. Licensing packages 204 can include the price and terms of alicensing agreement between a content creator and a user as well as ageographical region (cities, states, towns, regions, countries, sets ofcountries, etc) and/or Internet domain(s) (e.g., predetermined sets ofIP addresses, top level domains, country code top level domains, websites, ISPs, etc.) in which the licensing package 204 is valid. A usercan be concurrently presented with one or more licensing packages 204.In exemplary instances in which the content is a film, licensingpackages 204 may include a “high definition” (“HD”) option, an optionthat defines the terms of a rental agreement, an option that defines theterms of a purchase agreement, an option indicating whether the contentis downloadable, an option indicating whether the user has access tobonus content, as well as other options.

Additionally, in some implementations, one or more additional licensingpackages 204 can be dynamically generated and presented to the userbased upon user interaction with the system. For example, as notedabove, a content creator can dynamically offer the user an up-sell or across-sell based upon a user selection. In some implementations, when auser executes a first license package 204, such as renting content, andthen accepts an offer to execute a second license package 204, such aspurchase the rented content, the first license can expire upon theexecution (acceptance) of the second offer. In other implementations,when a user executes a first licensing package 204, such as purchasingof a standard definition version of a film, and accepts an offer toexecute a second license package 204, renting a high definition versionof the film, the first license can run concurrently with the secondoffer. In still other implementations, when a user executes a firstlicensing package 204, such as purchasing of a standard definitionversion of a film, and accepts an offer to execute a second licensepackage 204, renting a high definition version of the film, the firstlicense can be suspended for the duration of the second offer. The firstlicense may then be selectively or automatically reinstated uponcompletion of the second offer.

Additionally, in some implementations, licensing packages 204 can beactivated and deactivated. For example, a licensing package 204 can beactivated or deactivated manually by the content creator or other personwith sufficient authority, automatically by the system, or in accordancewith one or more predefined settings, such as those supplied by acontent provider.

FIG. 3 shows an exemplary display 300 of additional relationships withinthe system. In addition to relationships between the catalog 201, thepromotional functionality 203, and the licensing packages 204, in someimplementations, the system can include additional relationships.Additional relationships can exist among content creators (participants301), and the users of content (audience 306). Relationships can bedeveloped based upon interactions with one or more system components.For example, as noted above, using the catalog 201 and the promotionalfunctionality 203, a participant 301 can offer one or more licensingpackages 204 to an audience member 306. In this example, participants301 can include a content provider, such as anyone offering a licensefor content, such as a filmmaker or a distributor, or anyoneparticipating in the creation of the content, such as actors, writers,or directors.

In some implementations, the system can include a searchable index 302which can facilitate site navigation and organization of raw,unprocessed and derived, processed data corresponding to userinteraction with the system. In some implementations, the index 302 caninclude a hierarchical arrangement of un-weighted attributescorresponding to content in the system. In other implementations, theindex 302 can include a hierarchical arrangement of weighted attributescorresponding to content in the system. Additionally, attributes can beweighted differently according to a plurality of factors or words. Forexample, a content provider can determine that a particular word is ofgreater importance when searching the index.

The audience 306 can interact with the index 302 to search and locatedata. In some implementations, based upon audience 306 interaction withthe index 302 and data from the catalog 201 and one or more licensingpackages 204 can be presented to the audience 306. In someimplementations, site activity 304, including audience 306 interactionwith a website, can be indexed 302 and stored for later analysis. Inthese implementations, audience interaction can include all activity upto and including a purchase. Thus, even if a purchase is not made, datarelated to audience interaction with content on the website can beindexed and used for later analysis of near misses. In someimplementations, audience interaction can also include activityfollowing a purchase. Thus, post purchase data related to audienceinteraction with content on the website can also be indexed and used forlater analysis.

In some implementations, the audience 306 can provide feedback to thesystem using an editorial functionality 303. For example, the audience306 can critique content (e.g., write a review), or rate content. Inanother example, the audience 306 can participate in a conversation oron-line dialog about the content. In this example, the audience 306 canparticipate in a chat room dialog with one or more participants 301. Inyet another example, an audience member 306 can generate a review thatcan be posted or displayed, such as on a social network website, wherethe audience member 306 and one or more other users can participate in adialog about the content.

In some implementations, site activity 304 and editorial information 303are combined to generate intelligence 305 that can be used to generatenew promotional functionalities 203 and new licensing packages 204. Insome implementations, new promotional functionalities 203 and newlicensing packages 204 can be based on intelligence 305 and generatedmanually, such as by a participant 301. In some implementations, newpromotional functionalities 203 can be generated automatically by thesystem based upon prior participant 301 or audience 306 interactionswith the system or based on one or more predefined settings.

In some implementations, intelligence 305 can include raw, unprocessedand/or derived, processed data. Intelligence 305 can be dynamic. Forexample, the return of content by a dissatisfied audience member canautomatically change the intelligence 305. In some implementations,intelligence 305 can be processed and statistics can be automaticallygenerated in real time based upon website activity. Generated statisticscan be used by the system to generate one or more reports based uponaudience 306 interaction. For example, reports can be used to examineaccount histories and make recommendations for a single account or for agroup of related accounts. In some implementations, generated statisticscan be compared to one or more pre-defined benchmarks or thresholds todetermine whether promotional functionalities 203 and licensing packages204 need to be adjusted. Adjustments to promotional functionalities 203and licensing packages 204 can allow a participant 301 to define andrefine efficient ways to target new and existing audience members 306based upon system intelligence 305.

Defining and refining efficient ways to target new and existing audiencemembers 306 based upon system intelligence 305 can be done dynamically.For example, as audience 306 interest changes (e.g., over time), acontent creator can use the system to evaluate user interest inreal-time. Additionally, a content creator can adjust promotionalfunctionalities 203 and licensing packages 204 in real-time. Theseadjustments can be stored along with data and logic used to make theadjustments. Stored data and logic corresponding to a content creatorsadjustments can then be used by the system to dynamically evaluate userinterest (e.g., in real-time) and without human intervention (e.g., bythe content creator). Dynamic evaluations made by the system can also beadjusted by a content creator at any time.

In some implementations, static catalog data 201 can be a globallyconstant description (e.g., of defined structured data fields) thatincludes individual references corresponding to the content of eachobject (e.g., a video) individually. In these implementations, aglobally constant description of static catalog data 201 can allow acontent creator to organize data in accordance with user interest anduser preference with respect to content interaction. Additionally, otherdata corresponding to the distribution and management of content (e.g.,content price and related terms of restriction), can be defineddynamically (e.g., in accordance with intelligence 305). This decouplingfacilitates data aggregation, cross-content recommendations, and thedynamic (e.g., “on-the-fly”) creation and distribution of licensingpackages (e.g., in real-time). For instance, all users can benefit fromthe ability to interact with universal editorial information 303 whileconcurrently having individualized licensing packages 204 available(e.g., customized on an individual user basis).

FIG. 4 is an exemplary block diagram depicting a content managementsystem for providing user access to content via customized contentaccess license offers for a plurality of geographic regions (e.g.,cities, states, towns, regions, countries, sets of countries, etc.)and/or Internet domains (e.g., predetermined sets of IP addresses, toplevel domains, country code top level domains, web sites, ISPs, etc.).The content management system 402 receives content, such as video, gamecontent, audio content, e-books, software, electronic photos, electronicartwork, or other media from a content provider 406. The contentprovider 406 also provides one or more geography based and/or Internetdomain based (hereinafter “geography based”) license offers 408. Thegeography based license offers 408 provide terms to which a user 410must agree for that user 410 to access the provided content 404. Ageography based license offer can include: a license type for the offerto access the content 404, such as pay-per-view, rental, or purchase; aprice that must be paid by the user 410 to accept the offer; as well asspecification of a geographical region and/or Internet domain for whichthe geography based license offer 408 is valid. A geography basedlicense offer 408 can include other terms such as a video resolution atwhich the content is to be made available, and the availability of bonuscontent (e.g., behind the scenes footage, actor interviews, etc.) withthe offer.

A geographic region may be any delineation of geography. For example, ageographic region may be a hemisphere, a continent, a collection ofcountries, a single country, a state or territory, a county, a city, orany other area or combination of areas. One geographic region may be asubset or superset of another geographic region. For example, a contentprovider may promote or make a particular content available for rentalin a particular set of geographies, while allowing an actual purchase ofthat content in only a subset of those geographies.

The content 404 and geography based license offers 408 supplied by thecontent provider 406 are stored at a data store to which contentmanagement system 402 is responsive for subsequent user 410 access. Auser 410 can access content 404 or promotional materials regarding thecontent 404 in a variety of ways, such as via search, browsingcategories of content, via a direct link to a page describing thecontent 404, or other mechanism. Upon locating a page describing thecontent 404, the user may be provided with one or more content accesslicense offers 412. The content access license offers 412 may betailored to a geographical region associated with the user 410.

For example, only a subset of the geography based license offers 408supplied by the content provider 406 may be valid in the geographicalregion associated with the user 410. In such a scenario, only thoseoffers that are valid in the geographical region associated with theuser 410 will be provided to the user as content access license offers412. In some embodiments, if no license offers or promotional materialsare identified as being valid for the geographical region associatedwith a user 410, then the user may be prevented from locating a pagedescribing that content via search or browsing content categories. Inother embodiments, certain geographical regions may be explicitlyforbidden from finding certain content via search or category browseraccording to a content provider 406 setting.

For content 404 that a user 410 is authorized to access or viewpromotional materials, the user may be provided with one or more contentaccess license offers 412 that are valid for the geographical regionand/or Internet domain associated with the user, where the contentaccess license offers supply options for the user 410 to access thecontent 404. For example, a first content access license offer 412 mayprovide a rental agreement for the content, where the user may accessthe content via streaming media, for a first price, while a secondcontent access license offer 412 may provide a purchase option, wherethe user may download the content 404 and view the content offline, fora second price. The user may select one of the content access licenseoffers 412 via an indication of offer acceptance 414. The contentmanagement system 402 may then secure payment (e.g., if payment isrequired by the selected content access license offer 412), such as viacredit card, e-check, or other medium. Upon satisfaction of the user'sobligations, the content 404 can be provided to the user 410 accordingto the terms of the accepted content access license offer.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram identifying example geography based licenseoffer constructs provided by a content provider 502 to a contentmanagement system 504. In addition to supplying content 506 fordistribution, the content provider 502 can provide one or more geographybased content access license offers 508, 510, 512 to the contentmanagement system 504 that may be stored locally or remotely in a datastore 514. Each geography based content access license offer 508, 510,512 details a type of license associated with the offer, a price that auser must pay to accept the offer, and the geographical regions forwhich the geography based content access license offer 508, 510, 512 isvalid. The content 506 and the geography based content access licenseoffers 508, 510, 512 can be supplied by the content provider 502 and canbe stored in the content management data store 514. For example, thecontent management data store 514 can be a relational databasecontaining content records 516 and geography based license offer records518 that are linked such that geography based license offer records 518identify the content 516 with which they are associated.

It should be noted that, while three license offers are depicted in FIG.5, a content provider may define any number of geography based licenseoffers for provided content including zero, one, two, or many offers.Additionally, in some embodiments, content may also be associated withone or more geographic regions, such that geographical regions wherecontent may be located by search or otherwise accessed may beidentified. Additionally, geographic regions where content is notpermitted to be accessed by search or be otherwise accessible may beidentified.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram depicting the access of content 602 by a user604 associated with a geographical region 606 from a content managementsystem 608. A user 604 may be associated with a geographical region 606in a variety of ways. For example, when registering for an account witha content management system 608, a user may enter a residence addressfrom which the geographical region 606 associated with the user 604 maybe identified. A geographical region 606 associated with a user 604 mayalso be identified based on a billing address of a credit card used forpayment for content 602 by the user 604, the location of an Internetservice provider the user 604 utilizes to access the content managementsystem 608, or other manner. The determination of the user's locationcould also be determined by the combination of these enumerated factors.A user 604 may browse or search for content stored in a contentmanagement data store 610 at 612. Upon finding content 602, the user 604may be provided with one or more offers 614 that are available and validin the geographical region 606 associated with the user 604 from thepool of all geography based license offers 616 that are associated withthe located content 602. The user 604 may choose one of the providedoffers 614, indicating that selection using an offer acceptance 618. Ifthe user 604 has fulfilled all of his obligations in accepting theoffer, such as providing remuneration for the desired content, then thecontent is provided to the user at 620 according to the terms of theaccepted offer.

The determination of offers provided to a user 604 at 614 may be made ina variety of ways. For example, all offers that specifically identifythe geographical region 606 associated with the user 604 may be providedto the user 604. Additionally, certain intelligence may be incorporatedinto a content management system 608 to identify other offers 614 to beprovided to a user or for restricting offers 614 that are to be providedto a user. For example, certain areas of the geographic regions may beassociated with a high degree of content piracy. If a geographicalregion 606 associated with a user 604 identifies one of thesehigh-piracy regions (e.g., the user 604 is found to have an IP addressidentifying a high-piracy region), certain offers, such as those thatinclude high-resolution video formats of the sought after content, maybe filtered from the offers 614 provided to the user 604 even thoughthose filtered offers are designated for a super-region that includesthe geographical region 606 associated with the user 604.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram identifying example geography based licenseoffer contents provided by a content provider 702 to a contentmanagement system 704. In addition to supplying content 706 fordistribution, the content provider 702 may provide one or more geographybased content access license offers 708, 710, 712 to the contentmanagement system 704 that may be stored as content 714 and geographybased license offer 716 records in a content management data store. Intypical embodiments, each geography based content access license offer708, 710, 712 comprises a type of license associated with the offer, aprice that a user must pay to accept the offer, and the geographicalregions for which the geography based content access license offer 708,710, 712 is valid. For example, a first content access license offer 708associated with the content 706 may detail a rental license availablefor price A that is valid in geographical region A. A second contentaccess license offer 710 may include an option to buy the content 706for price B that is valid in geographical region B. The content provider702 may also provide a third content access license offer 712 thatincludes a license that allows downloading of the content 706 for oneweek for price C that is valid in geographic region A.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram depicting a user 802 accessing content 804 viacontent access license offers valid in the geographical regionassociated with the user 802. In this example, the user 802 isidentified by the content management system 806 as being associated withgeographic region A, as shown at 808. The user 802 may browse for,search for, or otherwise be directed to a content description web pageat 810. At the content description web page, the first and third contentaccess license offers described with respect to FIG. 7 are provided tothe user 802 at 818 from the pool of geography based license offers 820in the content management data store 822 because the first and thirdoffers are valid for geographical region A that is associated with theuser 802. In this example, the access license offer #2 is not providedto the user 802 because the user is not in the geographic regionassociated with license offer #2. Upon review of the offers provided at818, the user 802 decides on the third offer and indicates acceptance at824. The user 802 is provided with the content 804 according to theterms of the third offer, as indicated at 826.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram depicting a content provider 902 identifyingthe content, scheduled and unscheduled (perpetual), geographic basedpromotions, and geographic based content access license offers. Acontent provider 902 may wish to create the promotion and enableavailability of content in different geographical regions for a varietyof reasons. In one example, the content provider may only havecontractual rights to make the content available in a few regions. Inanother example, a content provider 902 may wish to focus his marketingin a single geographic region at a time for maximum effect. In anotherexample, the content provider 902 may have identified a particular waythat content must be packaged in order to best address the consumerdemand within that geographic region. In another example, the filmmakermay have promotional offers that would only be available in certaingeographic regions (i.e. upgrade from a license that is only availablein a specific geographic region). Thus, certain content 904 may bepromoted via the content management system 918 as well as via otherpromotions which are handled outside of the system, such as theappearance of actors on talk shows, in a first geographical area for afirst time period prior to and concurrently with the release of thecontent 904. The marketing and release of the content may then proceedin geographic region B, such that marketing efforts may be concentratedin one or a subset of all geographic regions for greater effect.

In some embodiments, the embodiment depicted in FIG. 9 is facilitated bya lookup table built by the content provider 902 before user requestsare received. In such an example, the content provider 902 prepares aschedule of the promotion and availability of content in differentgeographical regions at different times and this table is stored bysystem 906. Then, as user requests for material provided by the contentprovider 902 are received, the system 906 uses the lookup table todetermine which content offered by the content provider 902 may beoffered to the user on the basis of the geographic region associatedwith the user. The content provider can adjust the schedule on the lookup table over time.

For example, in FIG. 9, the content provider 902 provides content 904and a plurality of geography based license offers 908, 912, 916 to thecontent management system 918 for storage in a content management datastore 920. One content access license offer 908 is associated with bothgeographical region A and B, one content access license 912 isassociated exclusively with geographical region A, and one contentaccess license 916 is associated exclusively with geographical region B.The scheduled promotion 906 makes promotional options (e.g., adstriggered by search results) for the content 904 available ingeographical regions A and B from Jan. 1, 2010, through May 30, 2010.The promotion 910 makes a promotional option available perpetually forusers in geographical region A. (e.g., upgrade of offer 912 to offer908). The promotion 914 makes a promotional option available to users ingeographical region B from May 30, 2010 to Dec. 31, 2010. (e.g., userswho have purchased offer 916 can upgrade to offer 908 at a discount).Thus, promotional materials will influence demand and conversions forglobal offers 908 and content 904 available to consumers across multipleterritories simultaneously. The content 904, geography based licenseoffers 908, 912, 916 and geography based promotions 906, 910 and 914 areprovided to the content management system 918, where they may be storedas content records 922, geography based license offers 924 and geographybased promotions 916 respectively.

FIGS. 10A and 10B depict exemplary geographic based content accesslicense offers for a content item. In FIG. 10A, a content access licenseoffer A 1002 includes an offer to rent 1004 the content for $3.00 1006in geographic region A 1008. Content access license offer B 1010 offersto enable purchase 1012 of the content for $12.00 1014 in geographicregion B 1016. A content access license offer may also include a varietyof other options. For example, in FIG. 10B, content access license offerA 1018 enables purchase 1020 of the content for $20.00 1022 ingeographic region A 1024. Content access license offer A 1018 alsoincludes a high definition version of the content plus bonus materials,as indicated at 1026. Content access license offer B 1028 enablespurchase 1030 of the content for $12.00 1032 in geographic region B1034. Content access license B 1028 offers the content in a regulardefinition form 1036. In another example, the same content with the sameoptions could be offered to different geographical regions for differentprices to take advantage of different tolerances to price in thosedifferent geographical regions.

FIGS. 11-16 detail exemplary interfaces for enabling a content providerto supply content and geography based content access license offers to acontent management system. FIG. 11 shows an exemplary interface 1100 foruse by a content creator or provider. Using the interface 1100, thecontent creator can manage content. For example, the content interface1100 can include one or more controls for managing 1101 content. Byclicking on the content management link 1101, controls for managingcontent may be provided that can include a catalog control 1102, areports control 1103, and an ad campaign control 1104. Additionally, theinterface 1100 can include a viewing area 1105 for interacting withcontent.

FIG. 12 depicts an exemplary interface 1200 providing a list 1207 ofcontent for management as well as links to utilities for managing thatcontent. Upon selection of the catalog tab at 1202, a content providermay be presented a list 1207 of that provider's content. A contentprovider may add or edit items in the content list 1207 via controls1210 and 1211, respectively. Upon selection of a content item in thelist 1207 of content items, the content provider may be provided optionsfor managing offers related to the selected content item via link 1203,up-sell options for the selected content via link 1204, cross-selloptions for the selected content via link 1205 and indirect sell optionsfor the selected content via link 1206.

FIG. 13 depicts an exemplary user interface 1300 for identifyinggeographical regions for which content is available. Such an interface1300 may, for example, be accessed by selecting the edit control 1211 ona content listing interface, such as is depicted in FIG. 12. The contentprovider may then specify geographical regions where the content is tobe made available, as indicated at 1302 and geographical regions wherethe content is not to be available, as indicated at 1303, by movinggeographic regions between the left and right panes, such as by usingthe arrow controls 1305. While the geographic region options depicted inFIG. 13 list countries for selection, other size geographical regionsmay be used as well as or in addition to the countries listed.

FIG. 14 depicts an exemplary user interface 1400 for managing a list ofoffers related to a content item. The offer management interface 1400may be accessed by selecting the “Offers” control 1403 after selectingthe preReleaseVideol content. In the example of FIG. 14, the contentvideo, preReleaseVideol, currently has one offer associated with thecontent. As indicated at 1401, the one offer associated with the contentis a purchase option that allows consumers to stream the film as oftenas they like and download the film forever. The cost of the offer is$20.00, as indicated at 1404. The purchase offer 1401 may be edited viathe edit control at 1405, and additional offers may be added via the addcontrol at 1407.

FIG. 15 depicts an offer definition user interface 1500 where a contentprovider may add a new offer for a content item or edit an existingoffer. The content provider may indicate whether the offer is active ornot at 1502, enabling saving of old offers or creation of offers priorto activating them. Control 1504 indicates whether bonus content is tobe included with the current offer. At 1506, the license type isdefined, and at 1508, the price and the currency of the price aredefined. It may be desirable to set a currency in which the transactionis to be completed to avoid revenue variances based on day to daycurrency value fluctuations. At 1510, a resolution at which the contentis to be provided for the current offer may be selected. The territoriestab at 1516 activates an interface for identifying in which geographicalregions the offer is valid.

FIG. 16 depicts an exemplary user interface 1600 for identifyinggeographical regions for which an offer is valid. Such an interface 1600may, for example, be accessed by selecting the territories tab 1610 onan offer definition interface, such as is depicted in FIG. 15. Thecontent provider may then specify geographical regions where the offeris valid, as indicated at 1602 and geographical regions where the offeris not valid, as indicated at 1603, by moving geographic regions betweenthe left and right panes, such as by using the arrow controls 1605.While the geographic region options depicted in FIG. 16 list countriesfor selection, other size geographical regions may be used as well as orin addition to the countries listed.

FIG. 17 depicts an exemplary user interface 1700 that provides of asecond offer 1702 for rental of the content. Upon creation of a newoffer for a piece of content via an offer definition interface, such asthe one depicted in FIGS. 15 and 16, the newly created offer is added tothe list of available offers for a piece of content in addition topreviously created offers. In the example of FIG. 17, the new rentaloffer 1702 provides an offer where consumers who purchase the licensehave up to 30 days to stream the film as often as they like for 168hours after the film has started. This rental offer 1702 is listed alongwith the previously existing purchase offer 1701.

In some implementation, a user can be concurrently presented with one ormore offers. Additionally, in these implementations, one or moreadditional offers can be dynamically generated and presented to a userbased upon user interaction with the system. For example, a contentcreator can dynamically create an offer based upon a user selection. Insome implementations, when a user executes a first offer (e.g., rentscontent) and accepts an offer to execute a second offer (e.g., purchasethe rented content), the first license (corresponding to the firstoffer) can expire upon the execution (e.g., acceptance) of the secondoffer. In other implementations, when a user executes a first offer(e.g., purchase of a standard definition version of a film) and acceptsan offer to execute a second offer (e.g., rent a high definition versionof the film), the first license (corresponding to the first offer) canrun concurrently with the second offer. In still other implementations,when a user executes a first offer (e.g., purchase of a standarddefinition version of a film) and accepts an offer to execute a secondoffer (e.g., rent a high definition version of the film), the firstlicense (corresponding to the first offer) can be suspended for theduration of the second offer. For example, the first license can beselectively or automatically reinstated upon completion of the secondoffer.

Additionally, in some implementations, offers can be activated anddeactivated. For example, an offer can be activated or deactivatedmanually (e.g., by the content creator), automatically (e.g., by thesystem), or in accordance with one or more predefined settings (e.g.,set by a content creator).

FIGS. 18 and 19 depict exemplary interfaces for providing geographybased content access license offers to users to facilitate the acquiringof content by a user. FIG. 18 depicts an exemplary user interface 1800where a user is provided certain promotional content such as adescription of the film 1802, consumer reviews about the film 1803, andkeyword tags about the film 1804. The user may also be provided aviewing window 1801 for viewing promotional materials, such as atrailer, or for viewing the content itself. The user is also provided alisting of one or more offers at 1805 describing content access licenseoffers that are valid for the geographical area associated with theuser. In the example of FIG. 18, the user is provided with an offer topurchase the video for a single session viewing at 1805.

FIG. 19 depicts an exemplary user interface 1900 for a user who haspurchased the content named “video49.” In this example, the geographicregion associated with the user includes an up-sell offer for upgradinga previously made purchase, as identified at 1901. The listed upgrade isa purchase option that would allow the user to download or stream avideo whenever the user wishes, as many times as the user wishes. Theuser may choose to accept this up-sell by clicking the “Buy” button, andthe content would then be provided according to the terms of the newlyaccepted offer.

FIG. 20 is a flow diagram depicting a method of providing user access tocontent via a customized content access license offers for a pluralityof geographical regions where a customized content access license offeris provided to a user based on a geographical region associated with theuser. An upload of content for distribution and metadata describing thecontent is received at 2002. At 2004, a first content access licenseoffer definition is received defining first offer terms for accessingthe content in a first geographical region. The first offer termsinclude a license type, a price, and a first geographical region wherethe first content access license definition is valid. At 2006, a secondcontent access license offer definition is received defining secondoffer terms for accessing the content in a second geographical region.The second offer terms including a license type, a price, and a secondgeographical region where the second content access license definitionis valid. At 2008, a user is provided one or more content access licenseoffers for the content based on the geographical region associated withthe user, and at 2010, an acceptance of a content access license offeris received from the user. At 2012, the user is provided access to thecontent according to the terms of the content access license offer withwhich the user has agreed.

FIG. 21 is a flow diagram depicting a processor-implemented method ofproviding user access to content via customized options for a pluralityof regions, a customized option being provided to a user based on aregion associated with the user. Content for distribution and metadatadescribing the content are received at 2102 using one or moreprocessors, where the received content and metadata are stored in acomputer-readable memory. At 2104, a first option definition is receivedthat defines first criteria for accessing the content in a first region,where the first criteria include an option type, a value, and a firstregion where the first option definition is valid. At 2106, a secondoption definition is received defining second criteria for accessing thecontent in a second region, where the second criteria include an optiontype, a value, and a second region where the second option is valid. At2108, one or more options for the content are provided to the user basedon the groin associated with the user. An identification of an option isreceived from the user at 2110, and at 2112, access to the content isprovided to the user according to the criteria of the option that theuser has identified.

Embodiments of the subject matter and the functional operationsdescribed in this specification can be implemented in digital electroniccircuitry, or in computer software, firmware, or hardware, including thestructures disclosed in this specification and their structuralequivalents, or in combinations of one or more of them. Embodiments ofthe subject matter described in this specification can be implemented asone or more computer program products, i.e., one or more modules ofcomputer program instructions encoded on a computer readable medium forexecution by, or to control the operation of, data processing apparatus.

The computer readable medium can be a machine readable storage device, amachine readable storage substrate, a memory device, a composition ofmatter effecting a machine readable propagated signal, or a combinationof one or more of them. The term “data processing apparatus” encompassesall apparatus, devices, and machines for processing data, including byway of example a programmable processor, a computer, or multipleprocessors or computers. The apparatus can include, in addition tohardware, code that creates an execution environment for the computerprogram in question, e.g., code that constitutes processor firmware, aprotocol stack, a database management system, an operating system, or acombination of one or more of them, A propagated signal is anartificially generated signal, e.g., a machine generated electrical,optical, or electromagnetic signal, that is generated to encodeinformation for transmission to suitable receiver apparatus.

A computer program (also known as a program, software, softwareapplication, script, or code), can be written in any form of programminglanguage, including compiled or interpreted languages, and it can bedeployed in any form, including as a stand alone program or as a module,component, subroutine, or other unit suitable for use in a computingenvironment. A computer program does not necessarily correspond to afile in a file system. A program can be stored in a portion of a filethat holds other programs or data (e.g., on or more scripts stored in amarkup language document), in a single file dedicated to the program inquestion, or in multiple coordinated files (e.g., files that store oneor more modules, sub programs, or portions of code). A computer programcan be deployed to be executed on one computer or on multiple computersthat are located at one site or distributed across multiple sites andinterconnected by a communication network.

The processes and logic flows described in this specification can beperformed by one or more programmable processors executing one or morecomputer programs to perform functions by operating on input data andgenerating output. The processes and logic flows can also be performedby, and apparatus can also be implemented as, special purpose logiccircuitry, e.g., an FPGA (field programmable gate array) or an ASIC(application specific integrated circuit). Processors suitable for theexecution of a computer program include, by way of example, both generaland special purpose microprocessors, and any one or more processors ofany kind of digital computer. Generally, a processor will receiveinstructions and data from a read only memory or a random access memoryor both.

The essential elements of a computer are a processor for performinginstructions and one or more memory devices for storing instructions anddata. Generally, a computer will also include, or be operatively coupledto receive data from or transfer data to, or both, one or more massstorage devices for storing data, e.g., magnetic, magneto optical disks,or optical disks. However, a computer need not have such devices.Moreover, a computer can be embedded in another device, e.g., a mobiletelephone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a mobile audio player, aGlobal Positioning System (GPS) receiver, to name just a few. Computerreadable media suitable for storing computer program instructions anddata include all forms of nonvolatile memory, media, and memory devices,including by way of example semiconductor memory devices, e.g., EPROM,EEPROM, and flash memory devices; magnetic disks, e.g., internal harddisks or removable disks; magneto optical disks; and CD ROM and DVD ROMdisks. The processor and the memory can be supplemented by, orincorporated in, special purpose logic circuitry.

To provide for interaction with a user, embodiments of the subjectmatter described in this specification can be implemented on a computerhaving a display device, e.g., a CRT (cathode ray tube) to LCD (liquidcrystal display) monitor, for displaying information to the user and akeyboard and a pointing device, e.g., a mouse or a trackball, by whichthe user can provide input to the computer. Other kinds of devices canbe used to provide for interaction with a user as well; for example,feedback provided to the user can be any form of sensory feedback, e.g.,visual feedback, auditory feedback, or tactile feedback; and input fromthe user can be received in any from, including acoustic, speech, ortactile input.

Embodiments of the subject matter described in this specification can beimplemented in a computing system that includes a back end component,e.g., as a data server, or that includes a middleware component, e.g.,an application server, or that includes a front end component, e.g., aclient computer having a graphical user interface or a Web browserthrough which a user can interact with an implementation of the subjectmatter described in this specification, or any combination of one ormore such back end, middleware, or front end components. The componentsof the system can be interconnected by any form or medium of digitaldata communication, e.g., a communication network. Examples ofcommunication networks include a local area network (“LAN”) and a widearea network (“WAN”), e.g., the Internet.

The computing system can include clients and servers. A client andserver are generally remote from each other and typically interactthrough a communication network. The relationship of client and serverarises by virtue of computer programs running on the respectivecomputers and having a client server relationship to each other.

In some implementations, an insider can be any third-party who exhibitsan interest in one or more of the following: processing, marketing,promotion, management, packaging, merchandising, fulfillment, delivery,distribution, licensing, or enforcement of content and/orcontent-related data. In some implementations, an insider can beconsidered a content provider. A content provider is anyone who exhibitsan interest in distributing, licensing, and/or sub-licensing contentand/or content-related data. A content provider can include, but is notlimited to, a distributor, a sub-distributor, and a licensee of contentand/or content-related data. In some implementations, a content providercan perform any and all functions associated with the systems andmethods provided herein. It should be understood that any and allfunctions performed by a content creator can also be performed by acontent provider.

While this specification contains many specifics, these should not beconstrued as limitations on the scope of the invention or of what may beclaimed, but rather as descriptions of features specific to particularembodiments of the invention. Certain features that are described inthis specification in the context or separate embodiments can also beimplemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, variousfeatures that are described in the context of a single embodiment canalso be implemented in multiple embodiments separately or in anysuitable subcombination. Moreover, although features may be describedabove as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed assuch, one or more features from a claimed combination can in some casesbe excised from the combination, and the claimed combination may bedirected to a subcombination or variation of a subcombination.

Similarly, while operations are depicted in the drawings in a particularorder, this should not be understood as requiring that such operationsbe performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, orthat all illustrated operations be performed, to achieve desirableresults. In certain circumstances, multitasking and parallel processingmay be advantageous. Moreover, the separation of various systemcomponents in the embodiments described above should not be understoodas requiring such separation in all embodiments, and it should beunderstood that the described program components and systems cangenerally be integrated together in a single software product orpackaged into multiple software products.

Thus, particular embodiments of the invention have been described. Otherembodiments are within the scope of the following claims. For example,the actions recited in the claims can be performed in a different orderand still achieve desirable results.

1. A processor-implemented method of providing user access to contentvia customized options for a plurality of regions, a customized optionbeing provided to a user based on a region in the plurality of regionsthat is associated with the user, the method comprising: receiving,using one or more processors, an upload of content for distribution andmetadata describing the content, the received content and metadata beingstored in a computer-readable memory; receiving a first optiondefinition defining first criteria for accessing the content in a firstregion in the plurality of regions, the first criteria including anoption type, a value, and a first region where the first optiondefinition is valid; receiving a second option definition definingsecond criteria for accessing the content in a second region in theplurality of regions, the second criteria including an option type, avalue, and a second region where the second option definition is valid;providing one or more options for the content to a user based on theregion associated with the user; receiving an identification of anoption in the one or more options from the user; and providing access tothe content according to a criterion of the option that the user hasidentified.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the content or themetadata associated with the content are identical across a plurality ofoptions associated with the content, wherein the plurality of optionsincludes the first option and the second option.
 3. The method of claim1, wherein the user is provided the first option but not the secondoption based on the region associated with the user.
 4. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the region associated with the user is associated withthe user based on a user input, an address, or a detected Internetaccess provider.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein a second userassociated with a third region in the plurality of regions is notprovided with any options for the content based on the second user beingassociated with the third region.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein asecond user associated with a third region in the plurality of regionsis not provided with any options for the content based on a lack of anyoptions being associated with the third region.
 7. The method of claim1, wherein the first option includes a time period of validity, whereinthe time period of validity is preceded by a period where materials forthe content are available in the first region.
 8. The method of claim 7,wherein a user associated with the second region cannot access thematerials prior to a beginning of the time period of validity for thefirst option.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the first optioncomprises a higher value than the second option, a higher videoresolution than a video resolution included in the second option, adifferent option type than is included in the second option, oradditional content not included in the second option.
 10. The method ofclaim 1, wherein a plurality of options are defined for the content forthe first region.
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein a user is not ableto locate content if no options are available for the region associatedwith the user.
 12. A computer-implemented system of providing useraccess to content via customized options for a plurality of regions, acustomized option being provided to a user based on a region in theplurality of regions that is associated with the user, the systemcomprising: a data processor; a computer-readable memory encoded withinstructions for commanding the data processor to perform stepsincluding: receiving, using one or more processors, an upload of contentfor distribution and metadata describing the content, the receivedcontent and metadata being stored in a computer-readable memory;receiving a first option definition defining first criteria foraccessing the content in a first region in the plurality of regions, thefirst criteria including an option type, a value, and a first regionwhere the first option definition is valid; receiving a second optiondefinition defining second criteria for accessing the content in asecond region in the plurality of regions, the second criteria includingan option type, a value, and a second region where the second optiondefinition is valid; providing one or more options for the content to auser based on the region associated with the user; receiving anidentification of an option in the one or more options from the user;and providing access to the content according to a criterion of theoption that the user has identified.
 13. The system of claim 12, whereinthe content or the metadata associated with the content are identicalacross a plurality of options associated with the content, wherein theplurality of options includes the first option and the second option.14. The system of claim 12, wherein the user is provided the firstoption but not the second option based on the region associated with theuser.
 15. The system of claim 12, wherein the region associated with theuser is associated with the user based on a user input, an address, or adetected Internet access provider.
 16. The system of claim 12, wherein asecond user associated with a third region in the plurality of regionsis not provided with any options for the content based on the seconduser being associated with the third region.
 17. The system of claim 12,wherein a second user associated with a third region in the plurality ofregions is not provided with any options for the content based on a lackof any options being associated with the third region.
 18. The system ofclaim 12, wherein the first option includes a time period of validity,wherein the time period of validity is preceded by a period wherematerials for the content are available in the first region.
 19. Thesystem of claim 18, wherein a user associated with the second regioncannot access the materials prior to a beginning of the time period ofvalidity for the first option.
 20. The system of claim 12, wherein thefirst option comprises a higher value than the second option, a highervideo resolution than a video resolution included in the second option,a different option type than is included in the second option, oradditional content not included in the second option.
 21. The system ofclaim 12, wherein a plurality of options are defined for the content forthe first region.
 22. The system of claim 12, wherein a user is not ableto locate content if no options are available for the region associatedwith the user.